How Do You Deal With an Infectious Disease?

Infectious Disease

How Do You Deal With an Infectious Disease

There are four types of germs that are the main cause of infectious diseases.

Bacteria are single-cell organisms that are able to multiply very rapidly and release chemicals or toxins that will make you sick.

Viruses contain genetic information. They are able to multiply by using our own body cells.

Fungi are vegetable-like, possibly molds, mushrooms or yeasts and these can make you very ill.

Protozoans are tiny, single-cell predators and they are in search of a host where they can eat and live.

The thought of being infected with some type of communicable diseases could make all of us want to live in a bubble for protection, but our body is naturally protective. In many instances, simply washing your hands can prevent most infections.

There are numerous viral infections, many of which are highly contagious: AIDS (HIV), Ebola, Hepatitis, Influenza, Measles, Meningitis, Mono, Mumps, Pneumonia, Rabies, SARS, Sexually transmitted Herpes or HPV, Smallpox, West Nile, and Yellow Fever.

There are also many bacterial infections that are transmittable: Anthrax, Botulism, Cat Scratch Fever, Cholera, Diphtheria, Gonorrhea, Leprosy, Lyme disease, Salmonella, Scarlet Fever, Shingles, Strept Throat, Tuberculosis and Typhoid fever.

There are several types of fungus infections: Aspergillosis, Blastomycosis, Candidiasis, Cryptococcosis, Histoplasmosis, Mucormycosis, Paracoccidioidomycosis and Sporotrichosis.

There are some infections transmitted from parasites: Amebiasis, Ascariasis, Babesiosis, Giardiasis, Hookworms, Malaria, Pinworms, Schistosomiasis, Tapeworms, Toxocariasis, Toxoplasmosis, Trichomoniasis and Whipworms.

When you are dealing with any type of infectious disease, the first thing that happens is that microbes enter your body and begin to reproduce. Most health care experts believe the infection turns into a disease when the cells in your body become damaged and there are symptoms of an illness which appear.

Our bodies have White blood cells and antibodies that attempt to seek out and destroy the invaders and fight off the infection. Some of the symptoms you may experience are: fever, chills, and coughing, sneezing or even other ailments.

Once the disease has established itself and taken hold, you will need some type of medication. It is important that your doctor know whether your infection is caused by bacteria or by a virus. Many medications that are used to treat one type of infection are ineffective when treating the other.

Bacterial infections are treated with antibacterial antibiotics.

Viral infections are not treated with medication directly but the symptoms may be treated by other means, such as cough syrup, decongestants, lozenges, rest, fluids and pain relievers.

Infectious diseases are no laughing matter. Not all diseases are contagious. It is better to be safe than sorry. Do not share drinks or personal items with others.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) states seven steps for you to protect yourself and prevent infection in your home.

1. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently
2. Clean and disinfect all kitchen and bathroom surfaces
3. Follow all food safety precautions to prevent under-cooking or cross-contaminating of surfaces
4. Get proper immunizations
5. Use antibiotics as directed
6. Keep your pets clean and vaccinated
7. Stay away from any type of wild animal

Protect yourself and do not become a statistic as someone who dies from an infectious disease!

Clinical Infectious Disease
publisher: Cambridge University Press, published: 2008-05-12
ASIN: 0521871123
EAN: 9780521871129
sales rank: 676017
price: $82.71 (new), $73.29 (used)

This clinically-oriented, user-friendly text is the best on the market for infectious disease. Complete and comprehensive, Schlossberg’s text will be an effective reference for any practitioner who may encounter these afflictions. The orientation of the volume is multi-faceted: in addition to the traditional organization of organ system and pathogen-related information, this text includes specific sections on the susceptible host, travel-related infections, nosocomial infections, infections related to trauma, and bioterrorism. The information on post-surgical infections will be of great interest to practicing surgeons. Informative algorithms, tables, and high-quality color photographs supplement many of the chapters in this conveniently-sized volume. For practicality and ease of use, one can do no better than this guide to infectious disease.

Johns Hopkins ABX Guide: Diagnosis & Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Second Edition
by: John G. Bartlett
publisher: Jones & Bartlett Publishers, published: 2010-04-14
ASIN: 0763781088
EAN: 9780763781088
sales rank: 127213
price: $17.29 (new), $15.00 (used)

The Johns Hopkins ABX Guide, Second Edition continues to provide current, authoritative, comprehensive information on anti-microbial agents, infectious diseases, and commonly-encountered pathogens in one portable volume. Written by experts at the world-renowned Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, this must-have resource features expert recommendations, clinical and diagnostic decision-making tools, and drug-to-drug interactions. Concise, thorough, and current, The Johns Hopkins ABX Guide, Second Edition is designed for quick reference and comprehension. Information is featured in an easy-to-access format that facilitates rapid application of knowledge at the point of care.

Clinical Infectious Disease 2012 (The Clinical Medicine Series)
by: M.D., C. G. Weber
publisher: Pacific Primary Care Software, published: 2011-10-23
ASIN: B0049P22OY
sales rank: 27340

Topics include: Travel/ Tropical medicine (evaluation, prevention and treatments), HIV/ AIDS, Parasites (worms, insects, food poisoning…), TB, Leprosy, Lymphadenopathy, Biological/ Chemical Weapons/ Terrorism agents, meningitis/ encephalitis, osteomyelitis, skin infections, fevers, sepsis, antibiotic use, common skin infections, tick bites, animal bites, wounds………
Features: Edited by a highly regarded Infectious Disease specialist.

This text contains over 800 illustrations and is fully referenced.
ocket for windows.
No other text on the market provides such a collection of succinct and clinically relevant material that can be accessed at the “bedside”.

Harrison’s Infectious Diseases
by: Dennis Kasper
publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional, published: 2010-06-18
ASIN: 0071702938
EAN: 9780071702935
sales rank: 489860
price: $22.83 (new), $20.99 (used)

The authority of Harrison’s in a handy, full-color paperback devoted exclusively to Infectious Diseases

5 STAR DOODY’S REVIEW!
“This book provides all the latest knowledge in the field and is supported by the scientific rigor and reliability that have defined Harrison’s….This book is an essential compact clinical companion for students and clinicians alike….This book is complete, easy to navigate, and remarkably up to date. As the parent text does, this book devotes significant attention to the importance of obtaining a history and conducting a physical examination, the basic foundation of all medicine. It blends the other myriad aspects of infectious diseases and offers eminently readable and current management recommendations. Indeed, it should be regarded as an authoritative source of current information on infectious diseases.”–Doody’s Review Service

Featuring the chapters on Infectious Diseases that appear in the landmark Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 17e, this compact clinical companion delivers all the latest knowledge in the field, backed by the scientific rigor and reliability that have defined Harrison’s.

You’ll find coverage that reflects the expertise of renowned editors and contributors — presented in a carry-anywhere format that makes it ideal for the classroom, the wards, or the point of care. With its ease of use, indispensable diagnosis-speeding guidelines, and acclaimed state-of-the-art strategies, Harrison’s Infectious Diseases is a must for students and clinicians alike.

Harrison’s Infectious Diseases delivers:

Current, complete coverage of essential infectious diseases topics, including infections in organ systems, bacterial infections, viral infections, prion diseases, fungal and algal infections, and protozoal and helminthic infections
100+ high-yield Q&A drawn from Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine Self-Assessment and Board Review, 17e
6 complete chapters in print format from the Harrison’s DVD
127 chapters written by experts who have made significant contributions to knowledge in their fields
References and other material that have been updated since the publication of HPIM 17e
Integration of pathophysiology with clinical management topics in each of the disease-oriented chapters
Helpful appendix of laboratory values of clinical importance

The Harrison’s specialty series is written by the same world-renowned author team who brought you Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, 17e:
Anthony S. Fauci, MD; Eugene Braunwald, MD; Dennis L. Kasper, MD; Stephen L. Hauser, MD; Dan L. Longo, MD; J. Larry Jameson, MD, PhD; Joseph Loscalzo, MD, PhD

Infectious Diseases: A Clinical Short Course, Second Edition (LANGE Clinical Medicine)
by: Frederick Southwick
publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional, published: 2007-12-10
ASIN: 0071477225
EAN: 9780071477222
sales rank: 184466
price: $23.00 (new), $15.94 (used)

Gain a full understanding of clinical infectious diseases in just thirty days

A Doody’s Core Title for 2011!

No other resource makes clinical infectious diseases more manageable and easy to master than Infectious Diseases: A Clinical Short Course. This one-of-a-kind self-instruction tool is organized by system/region as opposed to pathogens — simulating how common pathogens and disorders would be encountered in rounds or in practice. For this reason, this remarkable resource is unsurpassed for learning how to associate pathogens with their corresponding impact on actual patients.

Features:

A true, concise “short course” format that can be read and understood in the span of a 30-day infectious disease rotation
Numerous case examples — appropriate for PBL and integrated curricula — to further highlight clinical application of the content
Key points summaries and Guiding Questions that drive home core concepts and aid comprehension
24 eye-catching color plates that depict major pathogens and reinforce the impact of clinical infection
NEW! An even more concise and streamlined format designed to help you learn the most in the least amount of time

Dr. Stuart Skinner – Infectious Disease Specialist – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Dr Skinner talks about how HIV positive people who are in treatment can have much healthier, longer lives. www.health.gov.sk.ca
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT INFECTIOUS DISEASE
About a quarter of deaths worldwide–many of them children–are caused by infectious organisms. The World Health Organization reports that new infectious diseases are continuing to emerge and familiar ones are appearing in new locations around the globe. What You Need to Know About Infectious Disease provides an overview of infectious disease, drawing on reports of the Institute of Medicine.

Infectious Disease

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One Response to “How Do You Deal With an Infectious Disease?”

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January 23rd, 2012 at 7:31 AM
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